Mega Doctor News
Mega Doctor News
September 1, 2025– UTSA and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have officially merged to form The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio). The new institution, now the third-largest public research university in Texas, combines two Carnegie R1 universities, creating one of the nation’s most comprehensive academic and healthcare enterprises.
With 40,000 students, 17,000 employees, and $486 million in annual research expenditures, UT San Antonio combines scale with excellence. Its endowment now exceeds $1.3 billion, placing the institution among the most financially robust universities in the country.
President Taylor Eighmy stated that the merger creates a nimble, world-class university rooted in education, healthcare, and discovery. “With that spirit of excellence, we’ve combined two distinguished Tier One institutions to form a university that champions social mobility, improves health, and powers discovery at scale,” he said.
The university comprises 15 colleges and schools across six campuses and now offers over 320 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Its programs consistently rank among the top 3% worldwide, and it is nationally recognized for social mobility.
The merger also integrates the UT San Antonio Health Science Center, the region’s only academic health center, and a global leader in biomedical research. Ranked among the top 2% of healthcare institutions worldwide, it receives more than 2.5 million patient visits annually across 200 specialties and subspecialties.
Each year, more than 1,000 residents and fellows train at UT San Antonio, supported by a team of 1,400 physicians, providers, and researchers. Partnerships with University Health and the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital strengthen care for the region’s 38 counties while ensuring innovation reaches patients quickly.
Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs, emphasized the broader impact: “A discovery that happens here improves life for our families and translates to the population at large with global impact.”
The combined institution is committed to creating hands-on learning experiences and new degree programs. In 2023, it launched the nation’s first dual degree in medicine and artificial intelligence—a model for future innovations.
Athletics remain central to campus life, with all 17 NCAA Division I sports teams competing as UTSA in the American Athletic Conference. The Roadrunner mascot, Rowdy, continues as the face of university spirit.
UT San Antonio is projected to generate a $7 billion annual economic impact, fueling San Antonio’s $44 billion healthcare and biosciences sector. The university retains talent in Texas, with 90% of alumni remaining in the state’s workforce. It also trains the majority of doctors, nurses, dentists, and allied health providers in South Texas.
“This university has the potential to become one of the most consequential and forward-thinking in the nation,” said President Eighmy.
For the UT System, the merger represents more than size—it signals ambition. Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife called it a transformational milestone: “This is about impact. We’re uniting two institutions that complement each other—academics, research, the arts, athletics, and world-class healthcare.”
Cigarroa added, “UT San Antonio enriches the culture of our region, making it not only the best place to raise a family but also to study and to work. Education saves lives and transforming one life changes generations.”
With its expanded scope, resources, and mission, UT San Antonio is positioned to become a premier national institution—one that elevates education, drives discovery, and improves lives across Texas and beyond. Source: UT Health San Antonio
